electron capture
Britishnoun
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Former name: K-capture. the transformation of an atomic nucleus in which an electron from the atom is spontaneously absorbed into the nucleus. A proton is changed into a neutron, thereby reducing the atomic number by 1. A neutrino is emitted. The process may be detected by the consequent emission of the characteristic X-rays of the resultant element
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the spontaneous or induced recombination of free electrons with ions or by transfer from other atoms or ions
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His most notable device was the electron capture detector, which ‘sniffed out’ traces of compounds in the air.
From Scientific American ● Aug. 9, 2022
In 1957, he hit on his most far-reaching invention: the electron capture detector, a portable device that looked a bit like a hose nozzle and could detect infinitesimal evidence of man-made chemicals such as pesticides.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 28, 2022
In 1969, using his electron capture device, Dr. Lovelock went on to find that man-made pollutants were the cause of smog.
From New York Times ● Jul. 27, 2022
Like positron emission, electron capture occurs for “proton-rich” nuclei that lie below the band of stability.
From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019
Krausz, F. & Stockman, M. I. Attosecond metrology: from electron capture to future signal processing.
From Nature ● May 1, 2018
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
